Welcome Back Cole Harbour Woodside United Church!  Can you believe that for over two years, all in-person gatherings at CHWUC were suspended due to the global pandemic?  It seems unbelievable that such an event could happen, and yet it did, and it has taken a toll on all of us. After years of abundance in activities, mission and finances, we experienced a definite drought.  It is reminiscent of the story found in the book of Genesis about Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, who rises to power through interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams and tells Pharaoh to store away excess grain during the 7 years of abundance to make it though the 7 years of drought.  Egypt is spared devastation because they were prepared and so were we.

We were able to weather this storm as we had sufficient cash reserves on hand from our years of abundance to compensate for the sharp decrease in revenues that occurred over this two- year, -drought- period.  These reserves are now dry, with little left to help us weather another storm, nor meet our current operating expenses. The pandemic put a halt to almost all of the wonderful community engagement and outreach; congregational gatherings; and other in-person activities and fund raisers we rely upon to help offset our expenses and breathe life into the church. Thanks to the skill of the technical team and others, we were able to quickly pivot and provide our ministry and some fundraising in an on-line and virtual way, but these do not replace the sense of community and faith we share when we gather in person. 

Fortunately, the time has come that we can once again open our doors and gather in person as a faith community!   We are ready to “Get Back OnTrack!” – to bring CHWUC back to life “offering the care of comfort of Christ” within our congregation and broader community.  It’s time to engage and grow once more!

What is the “Getting Back OnTrack with CHWUC” Campaign?

• Our goal is to raise an extra $15,000 by the end of May and a total of $50,000 by the end of the year to cover our operating expenses and to start building back our reserves. 

How will we do this?

• In the coming weeks and months, we will be offering a number of fund raising and stewardship campaigns. 

• You can help by volunteering your time, talent and tithes to the church.  We always need “Willing Workers” and “Lively Leaders” to bring ideas to life!

A few ideas include: a “Take Out Team” for take out meals and a plan for some interesting On-Line Auctions to supplement the annual auction.  Our dinner theatre production, “Who-Knew?” will be held in November this year and will require many kitchen and other helpers.

• If you are able, please consider:
  • Making a onetime contribution to the church to help reach our goals.  
  • Increasing your monthly donation
  • Switching to PAR (pre-authorized payment) Forms can be found in the Narthex, the office and on our web site, http://www.chwuc.ca
  • Funeral Ministry – Plan your service and choose an amount you would like to make as a donation to the ongoing ministry of Cole Harbour Woodside United Church. (All donations are tax deductable.)

• Buy Superstore and Sobeys Gift Cards from the church (Marylou) – These can be used for more than just groceries, (everything else in the store) including other gift cards you could purchase for many other products you use.  This is an easy way for us to raise several thousand dollars a year, without it costing anyone any extra money.

• Take your money back recyclables to Karen’s Recycling Ltd at 807 Main Street in Dartmouth.  Just ask them to credit our account! 

• Support our fundraising and outreach activities by: spreading the word to your family, friends, co-workers, community – social media etc. CHWUC offers a vibrant, inclusive environment for all. 

• If you have a fundraising idea, let us know. The possibilities are endless!

Thanks to all of you for keeping up the faith and helping out as best you could.  We know that together we will reach our goal while continuing to grow and offer the “care of comfort of Christ” to those among us.

Join CHWUC for our Holy Week Services:

Thursday April 14 – Maundy Thursday – 6pm for a potluck followed by a Communion Service – Event link: https://fb.me/e/2uoLpYyuE

Friday April 15 – Good Friday Service – 8pm – Event link: https://fb.me/e/1mtznXVhM

Sunday April 17 –

– Sunrise service – 6:30am at the Meeting House, Cole Harbour – Event link: https://fb.me/e/3dRvrq1jh

– Easter Service & Communion– 10:30am – Event link: https://fb.me/e/emL4j2Itr

Cole Harbour Woodside United Church will be holding a chowder luncheon (take-out only for now) on Saturday April 30th. Pick-ups will be at 12:00pm or 12:30pm.

There will be TWO (2) choices to pick from: Fish Chowder OR Seafood Chowder.

The chowder will be accompanied by a bread roll and a homemade cookie.Please register below and the office will follow-up with you if needed.

Register here: https://forms.gle/wXgTgZuQdMzYzNyV6

Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/37L49mQas

A Tale for ALL Ages to Enjoy! – Written by Jill A. Brogan

Cole Harbour Woodside United Church is putting on an original children’s play that I wrote entitled “Who-Buddy Are You?” on

• Saturday April 30th at 2pm
• Sunday May 1st at 2pm

These are FREE performances, as we received a Diversity and Inclusion Community Grant from HRM as well as contributions from HRM Councillors Becky Kent and Trish Purdy to help cover the costs to put this delightful show on.

Our cast is made up of 13 children who range in age between 6-17 of varying abilities and ethnicities as well as 3 adults and 2 supporting adults. We also have our tech crew and volunteers helping back stage.

The premise of this play is to show the value of all people within society – regardless of their backgrounds etc. The play is set in the Hamlet of Buddy-Bay and is narrated in rhyme. It begins with a clear differentiation between the “Some-Buddies” who are deemed to have much value and the “No-Buddies” who are seen as “less than”. 

Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/1qj5zFLDI

REMINDER!

The AGM will be held on Sunday, February 27th during the regular Worship Service time of 10:30am.

There will be no in person or Youtube meeting for the AGM. Please join us via Zoom so your vote can be counted.

Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/aRCPOPZip

Click on the button below to open the 2021 Annual Report. There are limited numbers of the report printed and available for pick up in the office. Give the office a call if you would like a print copy. 

2021 Annual Report (PDF)

Effective: October 21, 2021

CHURCH ENTRANCE POLICY:

The province of Nova Scotia requires that all people of vaccination age entering the church be double vaccinated for all activities except Sunday worship service.

SUNDAY SERVICE ENTRANCE POLICY:

It is our expectation that if you are attending Worship Services in person that you care about the health of the other members of our congregation and that, therefore, you will only be allowed to attend in person if you are doubly vaccinated before entering the building. 

If you have not been fully vaccinated, we invite you to join in worship with us and others via Zoom or YouTube.

The Sanctuary will be thoroughly cleaned before worship.

We ask, that as you enter the building, you wear a mask and that you sanitize your hands at the door with the solution provided.

We ask that you register at the door with your name and a contact number by signing the log.   Any offerings are to be placed in the plate at the sanctuary entrance.

Please note there are a limited number of seats that are available on a first come first serve basis.

Those leading in worship, may remove their mask for their leadership period.  All others are required to wear a mask at all times.

We ask that you remain seated during worship and leave the Sanctuary in an orderly fashion through the side door.

NOTE:  Based on the COVID situation in the province this policy will be modified accordingly to meet or exceed provincial requirements.

We are planning our annual auction once again this year so put it on your calendar for Sunday, November 21st at 6:00pm!

We will be offering in person and online options for bidding.

To participate, please fill out this online form: https://forms.gle/VpBiNZYCCgJ5ctK66. If you have any issues in filling out the form, please email Janet Barker at jed_barker@hotmail.com

Deadlines:

November 9th – To donate an item for the auction. We will email the list of available items to all registrants in the week before the auction.

November 14th – To register for Zoom. There will be the opportunity to attend by Zoom. Attendees will be emailed the Zoom link.

November 18th – All In-Person attendees need to be registered.

If you can’t attend in person or by Zoom, you can let us know your maximum bid for an item or have a bidding proxy, as has been our practice in the past. Payments can be made either in person (cash or cheque) when picking up your item or by E-transfer to the church.

For in-person participation, there is a seating limit of 65 people.

Contact Mary Lou Foster or Janet Barker if you have any questions.

You can also share the event and indicate you’re attending on Facebook!

List of items (Pictures available in Facebook Album) (PDF Version with categories)

• Calvin’s Christmas Trees
• Decorative letters X-M-A-S
• Winter Print – Christmas Tree & Bench
• Framed Print – No Place Like Home For the Holidays
• Avon Cardinal Wreath
• Christmas Kitchen Kit: 52”x70” table cloth, napkins, mug, tray, tea towel, oven mitt & pot holder, crocheted Gnome towel topper with hand towel, Christmas mini pancake griddle
• Kid’s Christmas Basket: 2 crafts, Christmas Go Fish game, ornament, mug, Santa hat
• Fibre Optic Snowman
• Marylou’s Butter Tarts
• Marylou’s Apple Crisp
• Cinnamon Bread – Made by Dolores Adams
• Strawberry Jam & Biscuits – Made by Dolores Adams
• 2 Bottles of Pickled Beets and 1 bottle of Relish – Made by Dolores Adams
• 1 Bottle of Pickled Beets – Made by Dolores Adams
• Loaves of Bread – Made by Dolores Adams
• Cracker Candy with Nuts – Made by Dolores Adams
• Gerrie’s Ginger Sparkles – made by Anne Marie Siteman
• A batch of “Gromit’s Favourite” dehydrated chicken hearts – Jill Brogan
• Home Baked Squares Package: 9×13 pan of Date Squares, 9×13 pan of Pecan Pie Bars, 9×13 pan of Lemon Squares – Debbie Hines
• 1 Loaf Newfoundland Cherry Cake – Linda Stonehouse
• 2 x 500 ml bottles Peach Marmalade
• 1 litre J. Prosser & Sons Maple Syrup
• Shane’s Dark Fruitcake, Brandy soaked
• Chef John’s Chinese Dinner – 4-6 guests
• Maple Syrup Basket (1L Syrup, 2L Syrup, Maple Syrup Cookbook, 1 Box Pancake mix)
• Set of Cedar Grilling Planks with recipes
• Electric griddle
• Keurig K-Slim Coffee Maker
• Stoneware Casserole Dish
• Stoneware Baking Dish
• Decorative bowl, white and pink
• Baking Dish, White with flowers
• ‘Splendide’ Carving Set & ‘Chandler’ Salt & Pepper Grinder
• ‘Enbrighten’ Lighting for Life Electric Lantern
• Floor Lamp – 6’ Tall
• MotoMaster Eliminator 400A, battery charger
• Assorted Norwex cloths:  1Enviro cloth, 1 window cloth, 1kitchen cloth, 1 body /face cloth, 6oz hand sanitizer, 250 gram laundry detergent, mini fruit and veggie wash and fruit and veggie wash mitt
• Black shoulder purse
• Large Leather Handbag – Never used, tags still attached
• Double/Queen Comforter with Pillow Shams
• Heavy, warm quilt/blanket, 2-tone Browns
• Slippers, Size 8, Burgundy colour
• Set of 14 Karaoke CDs
• $25 Superstore Gift Card
• Singing Telegram Gift Certificate – $50 Value
• $50 Palladium Restaurant Gift Certificate
• Scrapbooking Supplies #1: 2 Scrapbooking albums, Assorted scrapbooking paper, Cutting tool, Stencils, Assortment of embellishments 
• Scrapbooking supplies #2: 1 Scrapbooking album, Assorted Scrapbooking paper, Cutting tool, Stencils, Assortment of embellishments 
• 3 Maritime Cross Stitch Kits – Green Gables, Bluenose, Peggy’s Cove Light
• “Playful Kitties” Cross Stitch Kit
• Crocheted Poncho by Susanna Morash-Kent
• Knitted Scarf #1– by Susan Smith
• Knitted Scarf #2 – by Susan Smith
• Handmade Raggedy Ann Doll – made by Helen Moser
• 1 Dozen Braided Hangers – Ellen LeBlanc
• Knitted Kid’s Sweater #1 – Size 2-4 – Machine wash & dry – Margi Bain
• Knitted Kid’s Sweater #2 – Size 2-4 – Machine wash & dry – Margi Bain
• Knitted American Girl Doll Dress #1 – Susan Smith
• Knitted American Girl Doll Dress #2 – Susan Smith
• The Ultimate Wreath Book
• Anne Geddes’ Cherished Thoughts with Love book
• Double Puzzle Pack: 2 “Keepsakes” puzzles in one pack
• Cobble Hill 275 large piece puzzle – Christmas theme
• Set of 2 Puzzles: 750 pieces & 500 Pieces
• 1000 piece puzzle – Canadian scenes
• Set of 2 puzzles: Peanuts – 1000 piece, Harry Potter – 1000 piece
• 1000 Piece Puzzle – Blue Country House
• Big Ben 1000 piece puzzle – Mountain, field, and flowers
• Guild 1000 piece puzzle – Winter scene
• KodaColor 1000 piece puzzle
• 1000 piece Art Gallery Puzzle, in bag with picture inside
• Buffalo 2000 piece Puzzle, “In Full Bloom”
• Mystery Puzzle – “a good one”
• 3 Candles Holder Set for tea lights – Cat Motif
• Partylite Tea Light Holders
• Chinese Ornament
• Chinese Vase
• Catherine Karnes Munn Prints – “Sisters” & “New Brunswick”
• Pottery Cats
• Wood-turned, 4 wine cork set…made from Maple.  Varathane finish – Terry Hines
• Wood-turned tealight candle set – made of oak from church pews and each candle has a slightly different shade of a stain.  Red mahogany, early American and English chestnut.  Polyurethane finish – Terry Hines
• Wood-turned Fruit bowl – made from a cherry burl – 8″ wide and has a clear varathane finish. – Terry Hines
• Wood-turned Pen – made from dark walnut with a polyurethane finish – Terry Hines
• Wood-turned, large 3-inch candle holder – Made of oak from church pews with a pecan color stain. Polyurethane finish – Made by Terry Hines
• 1 dozen+ Red Asiatic Lily Bulbs
• 4 Bowling Balls (with well worn shoes)
• Baby-sitting services (Friday PM to Sunday AM) – Rev. Krista Elizabeth Winn

This fall, with the support of an HRM Inclusion and Diversity Project Grant, CHWUC will stage an original production entitled, “Who-Buddy Are You?”.  This children’s play articulates the under lying value of all people within society.  The play, beautifully written in child like rhyme and dialogue is set in the Hamlet of Buddy-Bay, and begins with a clear differentiation between the “Some-Buddies” who are deemed to have much value and the ‘No-Buddies” who are seen as “less than”.  The arc of the story moves from exclusion to inclusion with all of the “Who-Buddies” working together to solve a problem.  Despite external differences, the characters of the play finally recognize that “Every-Buddy” really is the same.  The little village of “Who-Buddies” come to understand that they are equal, and should treat each other in the same, respectful way.

This project will be a volunteer led initiative intended to bring children, youth and adults together to create a wonderfully inclusive and diverse theatre production.  The goal is to bring children and youth who may not usually have a chance to shine on stage the opportunity to share their talents in an inclusive, diverse and safe environment.  This includes those who live with a variety of intellectual and/or physical disabilities, those who identify as part of the LGBTQ + community and all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. “Every-Buddy” is welcome!

What does this mean?

We are looking for school aged children and youth of all abilities to act in this fun, uplifting show.  We are also looking for volunteers to help with other areas of the production including: set and costume design, back stage help, and coaching. 

If you or your children are interested in being a part of this exciting, inclusive, production please contact me by October 3^rd and let me know in what area(s) you would like to participate. (A commitment to come to all rehearsals and performances is a must to participate)

Please e-mail me at:  jillbrogan(at)accesswave.ca or call/ text me at (902)329-4953

Rehearsals will be held for 6 weeks on Saturdays from 3:00pm -4:30 pm starting October 16th.

A dress rehearsal will be held in the early afternoon of Friday November 26th with shows to be held during the afternoons of Saturday November 27th and Sunday November 28^th 

I can’t wait to work with all of you to bring this production to life!! 

Yours truly,

Jill Brogan

Writer/Director/Producer